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Magazine As far as Milan goes as a city, it’s not as fast-paced and as hectic as the likes of New York, Paris and London – but it’s just as fashionable. As the third of the major four stops on the fashion month calendar, Milan is often underrated but it boasts an abundance of up-and-coming talent and iconic designer labels in a regal and elegant setting that is everything Italian dreams are made of. Milan Fashion Week takes place from Wednesday 19th September to Tuesday 25th September 2018 (spring/summer event) and you can expect all fashion superpowers to make an appearance from Gucci and Prada to Versace and Dolce&Gabbana alongside industry royalty and the international elite. The six-day event represents the best of the Italian fashion scene but the full-on schedule can be hard to escape – you’re on holiday after all! We’ve scouted out the best places to eat, stay, shop and play for the ultimate unwind in between the runway shows and exciting presentations for the best all-round Milan Fashion Week experience.
First Things First...
Let us give you the rundown on Milan Fashion Week. So much more than the commercial savvy celebrity names and high-end brands that make an appearance, the industry has been taken over by a flowering of fresh new Italian labels showing a commitment to on-trend ideas and concepts. Italy’s fashion scene is celebrated for being ahead of the curve, socially conscious and its runway shows always present unique collections since the inauguration of Milan Fashion Week in 1958. The event takes place twice annually; in January/February for the autumn and winter collections and in September/October for spring and summer. Ready, set, strike a pose!
Italian cuisine is one of life’s greatest wonders. So much more than creamy pastas and indulgent pizzas, this is one European city that knows how to cook and each bite of this wholesome food is a somewhat religious experience. Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat between shows or unwinding from a long day of fashion observation, your appetite is guaranteed to be satisfied. For some authentic Italian ‘cucina’, there’s no better place than the family-run restaurant Bice, serving the richest risottos and the most indulgent tiramisus that have ever passed your lips. Established since 1938, Bice famously caters to the football and fashion scene – yes, it’s that good. With a classically elegant décor that will transport you back in time, a meal here is one that you’re guaranteed to never forget.
Looking for a spot to grab a coffee and a pastry in between the Vercase and Gucci shows? Pasticceria Marchesi is the ideal place to get your sugar and caffeine fix and is even partially owned by Prada since 2016. The delicious handmade tarts are certainly worth a sample but get there quickly as the matcha-coloured walls and the comfortable interiors make Pasticceria Marchesi a hotspot for every fashion girl wanting a candid Instagram
Eat
Italian cuisine is one of life’s greatest wonders. So much more than creamy pastas and indulgent pizzas, this is one European city that knows how to cook and each bite of this wholesome food is a somewhat religious experience. Whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat between shows or unwinding from a long day of fashion observation, your appetite is guaranteed to be satisfied. For some authentic Italian ‘cucina’, there’s no better place than the family-run restaurant Bice, serving the richest risottos and the most indulgent tiramisus that have ever passed your lips. Established since 1938, Bice famously caters to the football and fashion scene – yes, it’s that good. With a classically elegant décor that will transport you back in time, a meal here is one that you’re guaranteed to never forget.
Looking for a spot to grab a coffee and a pastry in between the Vercase and Gucci shows? Pasticceria Marchesi is the ideal place to get your sugar and caffeine fix and is even partially owned by Prada since 2016. The delicious handmade tarts are certainly worth a sample but get there quickly as the matcha-coloured walls and the comfortable interiors make Pasticceria Marchesi a hotspot for every fashion girl wanting a candid Instagram
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Stay
Escelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Four Seasons Hotel Milano is the ideal destination for those who want to be in the midst of the action, a popular resort for the flock of fashion editors visiting the city for the festivities. The elegantly decorated hotel is located in the city centre, just minutes away from Milan’s shopping districts including Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for you to look red-carpet-ready. If you’re in the mood for a little culture while you’re in Italy, head to Duomo di Milano cathedral which is conveniently just a 15-minute walk from your Four Seasons residence.
However, should you want to escape the hysteria and re-charge your batteries, you simply can’t go wrong with Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Although still within the city centre, this hotel offers the best in unwinding relaxation from the luxurious spa that spans over two floors to the in-house golf simulator. The two on-site eateries ensure you don’t go hungry, especially the award-winning Terrazza Gallia serving eclectic cuisine in an al fresco setting for the most gorgeous views overlooking the city. Work off the extra calories with a trip to the state-of-the-art fitness centre, fully kitted out with all the latest equipment to allow you to replicate your home routine. What’s more, the stylish interiors and comfortable accommodation will immediately make you forget that you’re in the heart of a heaving city. We told you it was the perfect escape.
Four Seasons Hotel Milano
Four Seasons Hotel Milano is the ideal destination for those who want to be in the midst of the action, a popular resort for the flock of fashion editors visiting the city for the festivities. The elegantly decorated hotel is located in the city centre, just minutes away from Milan’s shopping districts including Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for you to look red-carpet-ready. If you’re in the mood for a little culture while you’re in Italy, head to Duomo di Milano cathedral which is conveniently just a 15-minute walk from your Four Seasons residence.
However, should you want to escape the hysteria and re-charge your batteries, you simply can’t go wrong with Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Although still within the city centre, this hotel offers the best in unwinding relaxation from the luxurious spa that spans over two floors to the in-house golf simulator. The two on-site eateries ensure you don’t go hungry, especially the award-winning Terrazza Gallia serving eclectic cuisine in an al fresco setting for the most gorgeous views overlooking the city. Work off the extra calories with a trip to the state-of-the-art fitness centre, fully kitted out with all the latest equipment to allow you to replicate your home routine. What’s more, the stylish interiors and comfortable accommodation will immediately make you forget that you’re in the heart of a heaving city. We told you it was the perfect escape.
Shop
Milan, fashion and shopping all go hand-in-hand so a little retail therapy while you’re in the city is truly inevitable. With items hot from the runways, you’ll expect to find all the big designer labels with shop fronts in the city centre and the Quadrilatero d’Oro is the place for high-end indulgence. Those on the hunt for souvenirs are out of luck here but fashionable clothing, jewellery and watches are found around every corner, perfect for posing front-row at the shows or simply treating yourself to some new glad rags – go on, you deserve it! 10 Corso Como is also a must when it comes to retail therapy in Milan, a unique hybrid of a hotel, luxury department store and restaurant. Here, you’ll find everything you could possibly need from haute couture to the latest best-selling novel.
Remember, it’s not just mere mortals who like to indulge in some retail therapy while in this gorgeous Italian gem. Celebrity spotting is an activity within itself as during this late-summer September week there’s nothing better than unwinding with a stroll along Milan’s most famous shopping streets where you’re guaranteed to recognise a famous face or two. Whether it be your favourite supermodel or business head behind the biggest designer label, make sure you have your camera at the ready because your Instagram timeline is about get very interesting!
Milan, fashion and shopping all go hand-in-hand so a little retail therapy while you’re in the city is truly inevitable. With items hot from the runways, you’ll expect to find all the big designer labels with shop fronts in the city centre and the Quadrilatero d’Oro is the place for high-end indulgence. Those on the hunt for souvenirs are out of luck here but fashionable clothing, jewellery and watches are found around every corner, perfect for posing front-row at the shows or simply treating yourself to some new glad rags – go on, you deserve it! 10 Corso Como is also a must when it comes to retail therapy in Milan, a unique hybrid of a hotel, luxury department store and restaurant. Here, you’ll find everything you could possibly need from haute couture to the latest best-selling novel.
Remember, it’s not just mere mortals who like to indulge in some retail therapy while in this gorgeous Italian gem. Celebrity spotting is an activity within itself as during this late-summer September week there’s nothing better than unwinding with a stroll along Milan’s most famous shopping streets where you’re guaranteed to recognise a famous face or two. Whether it be your favourite supermodel or business head behind the biggest designer label, make sure you have your camera at the ready because your Instagram timeline is about get very interesting!
Play
If sneaking pictures of the international elite doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are plenty of other activities in the city that will keep you entertained post-fashion show. Five words – Dolce&Gabbana Bar Martini. Black-on-black interiors and a rising red dragon in the centre of the venue gives the place an elegantly electric ambience and don’t even get us started on the high wall of emerald green Martini bottles. The bar is said to be a “result of the collaboration between Martini and Dolce&Gabbana, two brands that blend Italian tradition and modernity”, making it a must-visit during Fashion Week but make sure you reserve a table well in advance. Although the dinner menu here is to die for, we recommend it for post-meal drinks that can last up until 1am when the bar closes (Monday to Saturday).
If you’re in the mood for something a little livelier and star-studded, Hollywood Rythmoteque is the place to be. During Fashion Week this club is bound to be heaving and full of Californian superstars blowing off steam after the shows. Visitors and locals alike mingle on the dancefloor while the latest chart music blares over the state-of-the-art speakers and the drinks flow endlessly. Our advice? Grab your friends and reserve a table to guarantee your entry and to feel like a celebrity, of course. Who knows, you might be rubbing elbows with the likes of Adriana Lima…
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